THEY are the two Sassenachs turned Highland warriors who will lead the charge into derby battle today.

Englishmen Gary Warren of Inverness Caley Thistle and Andrew Davies of Ross County never crossed swords south of the border but the club captains look destined to become great foes in the far north.

The confrontation will be ferocious but away from the fray the pair, both 31, have nothing but common ground and mutual admiration.

Warren made his name as the uncompromising skipper of Newport County at the lower end in England.

In that time, he won promotion as Conference South champions and fulfilled a boyhood dream to play at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final before Terry Butcher snapped him up for Caley Thistle.

Davies came from the opposite end of the English game, cutting his teeth with home-town club Middlesbrough, before spells at Southampton and Bradford City.

While he pitted himself against the likes of Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney in England’s top flight, he also tasted all four English divisions during frequent loan spells.

Career parallels are sketchy but the two skippers reckon they share on-field traits, not least a fierce competitive instinct.

Davies is the newcomer on the Highland scene, having arrived in the summer – but with a commitment to lead County into future seasons.

Caley Thistle captain Warren said: “Andrew, like me, is an English lad who has moved with a view to settling in Scotland and making a big impression.

“He has come up and done very well in his first season.

“His performances have been one of the reasons why Ross County have been so successful so far this season.

Gary Warren made his name at Newport (Image: Getty Images)

“I’ve been here for four or five years, so I’m used to the surroundings. I know what people expect in the derby.

“But a derby is a derby. Andrew has played in enough of them down south to know what it’s all about.

“It’s a game we’ll probably both look forward to and relish when we come up against each other.

“I never played against him down south, but I’ve watched him a few times before and I know what he’s all about.

“We’re both similar players, in terms of being committed, driven central defenders who like to win the ball and be aggressive. It’ll be a good test.”

Davies, having missed the previous league tussle, made his derby debut in late October – and it proved a dream start.

Ross County stormed the Caledonian Stadium to win the League Cup quarter-final 2-1 and keep up boss Jim McIntyre’s unbeaten record in Inverness with the Staggies after three visits.

While he is the new boy, Davies already feels settled at the Dingwall club – and like an honorary Highlander already.

He said: “In some ways, it is a big change for me. It’s a long way from home and I’ve got family in England, who I miss a lot.

“But my wife and son enjoy it here and that’s a big factor in me settling in. My boy is happy and Lucy is pregnant, so that’s the main focus in our house!

“This is a fantastic club with great supporters. I enjoy captaining a top bunch of lads and it’s something I relish every day I come in.

“There is a great rapport with the fans and that’s something I always seem to have, to be honest. Perhaps they see how I play, the type of person that I am, and they cheer me on. Long may that continue.

“Whenever I come to a club, I want to impress the fans and for them to take to me. I wear my heart on my sleeve and my aim is to improve this club, to keep it moving forward. I’m thoroughly enjoying playing under this team and management.”

As for opposite number Warren, Davies hopes to build a reputation at County comparable to the Caley Thistle leader’s.

He said: “I’ve not played against Gary but he’s come up from England and made it here, so fair play to him.

Davies in action for Middlesbrough (Image: Getty Images)

“He must be a strong character and a good leader. It’s going to be a big game at Inverness and I’m looking forward to it.”

Warren is already a veteran of many derby battles and more used to tasting victory in the fixture than defeat.

He is relishing the resumption of hostilities and admits Inverness must make amends for that League Cup exit.

He said: “Looking at our form last year, we could almost turn up and go through a game knowing we were going to get three points.

“We still put in exactly the same hard work, the basics. But the draw in Aberdeen and the victory at Hamilton show we’re not far away.

“We’ve got boys coming back from injuries now. We haven’t got too many on the sidelines, so it’s looking good.

“We need to bounce back in the derby, though, having lost here last time. It’s a fixture we always look forward to.

“In terms of how the game pans out, it’s usually tight. We were successful last year, but this year it’s one each in wins.

“They’ll come here full of confidence as they’re a side in form at the moment.

“They’ve added some good players but we’ve got players now coming back from injury. I like to think we can give them a real good game.”

Davies, meanwhile, has just cause to believe his team are beginning to hit their best again after a 5-2 victory over Dundee and Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat of Kilmarnock. Those twin wins were County’s first back-to-back victories since August.

Davies added: “I played in the away victory in the cup, but missed the home defeat in the league. I’ve experienced quite a few derbies and this one is a bit different to what I’ve played in.

“I thought it would be a bit louder in terms of atmosphere, but the game was televised and there weren’t that many people there. I’d heard a lot about what the derby can be like so I was a little bit disappointed.

“However, I was watching at the game in Dingwall and it did seem like a better atmosphere. This one isn’t on television, so I hope the crowd will be bigger.

“We played there last time and won and that gives us confidence, but they will want to get one over on us. However, if we keep playing the way we are and taking our chances, I can see us getting a result.

“They beat us here and we beat them there, so it’s 1-1. It’ll be an entertaining game for the fans.

“They have a lot of English lads but not many I’ve played against.

“But I know Caley Thistle pass the ball well and are not a team you take lightly. They’ve got a good manager who has them playing the right way. If we’re not on our game we’ll be in for a shock.”